John Angus Rhea | |
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![]() John Rhea | |
Born | c. 1753 |
Died | May 27, 1832 | (aged 78–79)
Nationality | American |
Known for | United States Congress Rhea County, Tennessee |
John Rhea (pronounced ray /reɪ/[1]) (c. 1753 – May 27, 1832) was an American soldier and politician of the early 19th century who represented Tennessee in the United States House of Representatives. Rhea County, Tennessee and Rheatown, a community and former city in Greene County, Tennessee is named for him.
In pronunciation... the modern Ra (as in ray of sunshine). [...] The spelling of the surname has also varied greatly. Early English, Scot, and Irish records include the following variations: Rea, Rae, Ra, Reah, Rhae, Rah, Ray, Rayh, Reay, Raye, Reaugh, Rheaugh, Reagh, Reahgh, Rhey, Rhay, Reeh, Rhee, Rhe, Wray, Wrea, and Rhea. The Ray spelling is the most common one in the 18th century records.